The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda has raised concern over the growing cases of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide in the country, urging swift action to safeguard women and children from abuse.
Her remarks came a day after Parliament suspended its usual business to debate the worsening crisis. Speaking in Maralal, Samburu County, during the distribution of food to 4,717 students across 24 public day secondary schools, Lesuuda described the surge in violence as a national tragedy.
“As a nation, we should be judged by how we treat our children. If you’re unhappy in a marriage, just leave—but why harm innocent children? What have they done?” she posed, citing the recent murder of two young children in Yare, allegedly by their father after a domestic dispute.
The MP said children were the most vulnerable victims of GBV, blaming the lack of children’s offices in many constituencies for delays in intervention against abuse, exploitation, and early marriage. In response, the Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK) pledged to post a children’s officer in Samburu and launched a pilot school feeding initiative to support vulnerable learners during exams.
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Lesuuda praised the organisation’s efforts, noting that the feeding programme was improving retention and performance in schools, especially in hardship areas. She also renewed calls to protect children from harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation, early marriages, and beading, which remain widespread in Samburu.
CWSK Managing Trustee and CEO Irene Mureithi said the intervention, already rolled out in counties including Murang’a, Nyeri, Kiambu, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Homa Bay, and Kisumu, is designed to improve learning outcomes and keep children under 18 in school.
“You will see the impact of this food; retention rates and performance will definitely go up. We will continue supplying food even in the coming school terms,” she said.
Parents, teachers, and students in Samburu welcomed the programme, saying it would cushion learners during exams while helping to fight school dropouts.
